New Research Shows Growing Concerns For Specialist Catering In Care Homes

New research carried out by care homes meal provider, apetito and Care England, reveals that over half of care homes find it difficult to provide residents living with dysphagia with adequate nutrition – a challenge still unresolved across the sector two years on.

Building on the insights from the ‘Nourishing Lives: A New Era of Care Home Dining’ Report released by the partners in early 2024, this new study aims to examine how the sector’s key challenges have evolved over the past two years and to identify how the market has changed and any emerging trends.

Readers can now download the latest insights focused on the current landscape on Specialist Nutrition and the challenges homes now face in delivering safe texture modified meals that meet residents’ nutritional needs – while ensuring that the joy of eating isn’t lost.

Richard Woodward, General Manager at apetito and Wiltshire Farm Foods Professional comments on the insights found:

“It is clear from this data on specialist catering in care homes that there are still grave concerns and challenges across the sector, two years on.

“We understand the complexities involved in meeting individual resident needs with texture modified meals that are both safe and nutritious, whilst simultaneously providing a full regular menu for others. And this is only exacerbated by the increasing economic pressures on labour and services.

“However, the consequences of getting this wrong are severe. Rising numbers of care homes are struggling to meet IDDSI guidelines when preparing meals, and with a high proportion finding it difficult to provide appropriate nutrition, the findings signal a concerning trend in the world of care catering.

“Our message to homes is that Wiltshire Farm Foods Professional service can support you by providing an easy-to-cook, nutritious and safe solution that works in harmony with kitchen teams cooking from scratch. Our extensive range of pre-prepared options are all made in line with IDDSI guidance and with expert Dietetic input, providing peace of mind for staff, residents and their families.”

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England also added comment on the research findings, saying:

“This important research, which has been done by Care England and apetito, underlines the importance of good nutrition for people living with complex health conditions in care homes. This report clearly identifies the challenges but also offers some clear and tangible ways in which care providers can get specialist advice, and through working with apetito, can ensure that people receive the nutrition that they need for a good life”.

To read the full research findings around catering for texture modified diets in care homes, visit https://online.wffpro.co.uk/sn-research

To find out more about Wiltshire Farm Foods Professional, visit wffpro.co.uk